The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1887-05-17

TIE opium bribery scandal has long
been before the public. Those whose
sworn duty It IS to enforce the law,
are IN possession Of all the facts. The
reason why they do not take action
must be, either that they are IN col
fusion with the bribe takers. or by
reason OF the bribe takers having the
appointing power. they are afraid of
losing their Offices If the law IS en-
forced
This matter Is such degradation
70 the country that we have hesitated
heretofore to state the cold facts; but
the chief actor II the business has as
sumed such 3 defiant attitude. ap-
parently gIorying in his infany and
the country's shame. that we think
that g longer silence Of q free press
would be wrong. and that tits our duty
TO state the facts clearly and plainly.
that each member OF this island com
munity may thoroughly appreciate
them
The facts are these:
Early during the session Of the last
Legislature bill was introduced to
license the sale Of opium. Itwas pro
posed TO have two licenses at $4,000
per annum each. and if there were
more than two applications the licenses
were to be put up at auction. This
bill was referred to g select committee,
and near the close OF the session the
committee reported back new bill,
radically different from the former
one. proposing but one license at
$4,000 per annum to be given to
whom the Minister Of the Interior
chose. In spite Of the most strenu-
Gus opposition. the bill was forced
through by what was known as the
Kings crowd" by d majority of one,
and became q law by the Kings sig
nature. Thus ends chapter one Of
this history. Chapter two Is q worthy
sequel to its predecessor.
Early IN November, 1886, one Jun
Jus kaae. heretofore conspicuous for
nothing except being Palace
hanger on" (since promoted 10 the
Office Of Registrar of Deeds went to
q Chinese rice planter named Ak. and
asked him if he did not want the OPT
I'm lieence. Ak said he did kaae
then informed him that he could help
him TO get It; and that the first step
necessary was to pay to the King the
sum Of $4,000; but that he must
hurry up about it. because there were
others trying 10 get the King TO give
it to them. After some discussion.
Ak agreed 70 act upon haae's sug-
gestion. About the 9Th OF December.
in the afternoon. $4,000 were taken
TO the Palace N q basket. The King.
seeing others around. told the bearers
to come IN the evening They came
in the evening. and met the King. who
directed them 10 see kaae. haae be
ing present. conferred with the Hing,
then went to the Kings private Office,
and he there received the so, 600, and
put It in the Kings private table
drawer 4 few days after the King
stated 70 the owner that he had re-
ceiTed the $4,000. Shortly after
check on the bank for $4,000 was
handed 10 the King personally. The
same day haae returned Il. saying
that they preferred coin TO checks
The same evening the coin 20 that
amount was delivered to kaae- s day
or two later $4,000 IN gold coin and
certificates OF deposit, IN two baskets,
were taken TO the Palace and delivered
together with 9 present Of "a little baked
pig 10 the King personally This
completed the 10000 Finding
how easily $4,000 was made. proba-
bly, there we're some qusIms of con
science about letting the license 90 50
cheap Ah was therefore informed
by kzae that John b Walker was
backing another Chinaman- and that
unless $4,000 more was forthcoming,